Democrats in Congress have introduced multiple bills aimed at overhauling the Supreme Court, including measures to increase the number of justices from nine to 13 and to establish 18-year term limits for the justices.

A bill proposing the expansion to 13 seats was among the proposals highlighted in recent days, alongside efforts to limit lifetime appointments. These moves come as liberals express dissatisfaction with the court's conservative majority and decisions on issues such as voting rights and gerrymandering.

One proposal would stagger the terms so that each president appoints two justices per four-year term. Supporters argue this would regularize appointments and reduce the stakes of individual confirmations. Critics, including Republicans, view the changes as attempts to alter the court's composition for partisan advantage.

The push follows earlier calls from Democratic candidates and figures during the 2026 midterm campaign cycle. Some nominees have explicitly endorsed expanding the bench and adding term limits in response to specific court rulings.

Historical precedent shows Congress has adjusted the court's size multiple times, though the number has remained at nine since 1869. Proposals for term limits would likely require either legislation or a constitutional amendment, depending on their design.

Republicans have warned that such reforms risk politicizing the judiciary further and could invite retaliation in future administrations. Senate Republicans have pointed to past Democratic resistance to similar ideas when the court leaned differently.

The proposals also include calls for stricter ethics rules and changes to the court's shadow docket practices. A bipartisan commission previously examined some of these options but produced no consensus recommendations for structural changes.

With midterms approaching, the debate is expected to intensify as Democrats seek to highlight judicial issues in their messaging while Republicans defend the court's current makeup and independence.